When a princess and an ogre compete for who had the worst childhood, you know you’re seeing an American fairy tale. When Pinocchio leads a protest march, you know it’s the 21st century.
“Shrek the Musical” opened last weekend at the Durango Arts Center. Staged by Merely Players, this adult/youth production sports a cast and crew of 67.
Here are seven reasons to see “Shrek” before it closes Sunday:
1. The musical is based on William Steig’s charming tale about a social outcast trying to find his way in the world. The story is simple; the musical adaptation is elaborate. And both have entered the lexicon of modern American fairy tales.
2. The Merely Players’ interpretation brims with energy, color and imagination, something we’ve come to expect from the annual adult/youth collaboration staged by the inimitable creative team headed up by Mona Wood-Patterson and Charles Ford.
3. The seven talented principals include an endearing Bob Thom as Shrek; a mercurial Mandy Gardner as Fiona, a jaunty, undefeatable Austin Hohnke as Donkey, a hilarious Geoff Johnson as Lord Farquaad; a sultry Amy Walker as the siren Dragon; a saucy Cierra Taylor as Gingy; and the unstoppable Jack Meigs as Pinocchio.
4. Music Director Ivy Walker has coached a huge chorus of storybook characters to sing out. Each one appears in an unbelievably detailed costume right down to buttons, ruffles or fake fur by the brilliant costumer JoAnn Nevils and her team.
5. Ford’s set offers a forest, palace and dragon’s lair illuminated by John Mark Zink’s spot-on lighting. Ford’s puppetry ranges from tiny birds and robotic rats to an enormous, fire-breathing dragon.
6. Choreographer Shea Costa clarifies complex dance numbers by moving her troops skillfully around the intimate DAC stage. If the Three Blind Mice don’t surprise you, the Dragonettes will.
7. “Shrek the Musical” is an interesting hybrid, part of a changing cultural phenomenon – what’s come to be known as family-friendly entertainment. What does that mean?
What started out as a children’s outsider tale in the tradition of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” has morphed into a story for all ages. Being abandoned by one’s parents and ostracized by peers are two ancient tropes that spin out in various forms today.
Adapted by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori, the musical is a hopped-up version of the original story and a spin-off of the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture. The musical contains truckloads of topical references – to other films, literary characters and even current events. The package, including some adult jokes, is meant to appeal to kids and parents. It’s a parody in an era of parodies.
Like “Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Tarzan,” it has morphed into a universe of products and productions. On seeing the movie, the musical or additional iterations of the Shrek phenomenon, my advice is to leave comparisons behind. Enjoy this lively local production for the energy and verve it offers.
Judith Reynolds is a Durango writer, art historian and arts journalist.
More information
“Shrek the Musical,” based on William Steig’s story, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori, directed by Mona Wood-Patterson, Merely Players, designed by Charles Ford. 7 p.m. May 5,6, 7; 1 p.m. May 7 and 8, The Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Avenue. Tickets: $25, 970-247-7657,
www.durangoconcerts.com
, Durango Welcome Center.
Wait list policy
“Shrek the Musical” sold out all of its shows earlier this week, but if you didn’t get your tickets, you still have a chance to get your hands on some by getting on a performance’s ticket wait list.
To be placed on a wait list for the show, you must show up at Durango Arts Center an hour before the performance of your choice. After your name is on the list, you can leave and then return 20 minutes before the show to see if you were able to get in. You must appear in person to have your name added to the wait list. Names for the wait list will not be taken over the phone.
